You heard it here first: a unique way to stay sharp

A few Sundays ago, while watching the Grammys, I had an epiphany: Tuning in to music award shows could stave off brain drain in older adults.

A few Sundays ago, while watching the Grammys, I had an epiphany: Tuning in to music award shows could stave off brain drain in older adults.

I came to this realization, midway through the show, when it dawned on me that I was working extremely hard to understand everything that was going on. That I knew few of the performers or their music was beside the point.

Before I delve into the remarkable brain regeneration that occurred that night, I must stress that only music awards shows aimed at the younger generation will do the trick. Those aimed at us Baby Boomers with, say, withered Mick Jagger or white-haired Michael McDonald, will not shake things up upstairs. We’ve heard the songs, we know the drill, ho-hum, yawn, goodnight Irene.

But the Grammys, whoa, that’s a different ball of wonky wax.

To be sure, my neurons started flexing with the opening act: Beyonce, clad in a revealing onesie, doing something risque with a chair. “What the?” I said to no one. “Isn’t she supposed to be a role model for young girls?” I imagined hundreds of mothers at that point frantically ushering their obstinate tweens to bed. “But, mom!” I suspected the tweens all wailed, “she represents GRRRRL-power!”

Really? Girl Power? With most of your posterior on parade? Honestly, so many neurons were firing then in my brain’s attempt to make sense of the situation that my head felt hot.

The cerebral exercise continued when a couple of guys wearing robot helmets came onstage to sing their nominated song. “What the?” I again said to no one. “Why cover your identity when you are part of a famous duo up for a Grammy award?”

For several long minutes, I thought hard about the answer to that question – a question that, had I not been watching the Grammys, would have never entered my squishy mind. Finally, thanks to new neural connections that resulted from the strenuous workout, I was able to produce the answer: the dudes inside were really a couple of geezers.

My brain got a respite when ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr made an appearance. At last, I thought, some folks I know, performing in a straightforward way. That Paul’s hair was the unnatural color of coal didn’t even stir a thought.

But then my brain got back on the treadmill when Madonna appeared with a mouthful of gold teeth. “What the?” I once again said to no one. “Has Madge lost her marbles?” After some serious mental gymnastics, I concluded, yes.

Anyway, despite what the experts say about TV turning our minds to mush, my brain got a real boost from watching the Grammys. I say, give these kinds of shows a try! Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to click the remote with your opposite hand.